On the Australian Gold Coast is a classic custom shop with the unlikely name of Popbang Classics. But the quality of the machines they turn out is second to none. During a recent interview with Popbang owner and motorcycle builder Justin Holmes, I asked him about a very nice looking GS450 Suzuki that is not your stereotypical classic motorcycle choice for a custom bike or anything else! 

Justin was born in Brisbane but grew up partly in the USA and partly in Australia.

From an early age, Justin wanted to modify everything he touched, to make it go faster, or sound louder or look cooler. Over time he built up his skills to include mechanicing, welding, metal fabrication, painting and electrical wiring, all the skills he would need for the business of custom building. 

Popbang Classics was started in 2012 after a period when Justin worked with his father at A to Z imports--a vehicle import company that imported late model Harleys, Indians and BigDog Choppers. The shop does everything in-house with a view to producing quality work at a fair price.

The GS Story

When the bike came into Popbang Classics, it was “a bit of a mess,” according to Justin. It was a basic roller with the engine in and the rest in boxes. After discussions with the owner, Justin decided that the only parts worth keeping were the frame (after being highly modified), the engine, and the front forks. 

Frame Mods

The frame was extensively modified to incorporate a hoop that was placed behind an in-house made single seat.

This mod effectively shortened and lightened the frame considerably, but the biggest change was to incorporate a mono-shock rear suspension system from a Kawasaki ZX-6R.

Besides incorporating a unique look and style, the mono-shock conversion was done to make the rear of the bike “as tidy and clean as possible.” Justin’s fabrication skills were put to good use with this conversion that required some additional brackets (to mount the top of the shock to the modified frame) and some very careful alignment. The spring was replaced as the bike’s weight and shock locations (and therefore leverage ratios) were different from the Kawasaki’s. 

Fuel Tank

The fuel tank was fabricated using the original Suzuki’s base mated to sheet metal from other bikes' fuel tanks. Justin wanted the tank’s shape to flow from the front into the new seat, giving the new bike a purposeful but aesthetically pleasing appearance. 

Other items to be made in-house included:

• Leather-covered seat
• Custom foot controls, along with their associated linkages
• Front and rear fenders (the fenders are made from a fi-glass mold that was based on shortened Honda 400/4 units)
• Flanged exhaust system with titanium wrap
• One piece clip-on handlebars

The front wheel is based on a Suzuki VMX (a Suzuki dirt bike) front hub that is mated to a 21” rim carrying an Avon Speedmaster tire. The rear is a Suzuki GSX250 unit with a Firestone 3.50 x 18” tire. The rims are painted black, with black spokes and brass nipples.

Brass has been used in a number of locations on the bike to contrast with the black finish of most of the components. Items such as the fuel cap, brake vents, filter mesh, and numerous nuts (domed). 

In total, the Suzuki took around seven months to complete but turned out to be a beautiful piece that both the owner and Justin can be proud of. 

Current Work

The quality and workmanship of the early bikes made at Popbang has led to a healthy order book with some seven bikes being worked on at the shop currently. As with many longer term motorcycle projects it is best for both the customer and the builder if the bike is built in stages. For the customer this helps to spread the cost, and for the builder it gives him the chance to keep working while parts are on order.

Machines being worked on include: “A lot of Hondas (11 in total) including a 400/4, a 550/4 and a CB360." In addition there is , a triumph unit construction under construction too. 

PopBang Classics can be found at: 9/34 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin, Gold Coast, 4223. Phone: (61) 0412 372 268